If you're thinking about starting a class blog, a very important step in the process is to establish exactly WHY you want to do it. What do you hope to achieve and how will it improve student learning and school experiences? Your objectives may change as the year progresses, or as you learn more, but it's important to have some goals to start with so that your blog is well thought out and organised, which makes it more attractive for people to read.
Is your blog going to be for:
posting homework assignments and classroom notices
sharing classroom events with family
making connections with other classes
delivering curriculum for students to access during lessons
summarising daily or weekly activities
recording special events
showcasing student work
publishing student writing
providing a forum for students to discuss issues and topics
publishing class-made videos and pictures
or combinations of the above?
Further questions that influence your blogging objectives include:
Who will post on the blog? Teacher, students, or both?
How often will I be able to post?
Do I keep the blog private or make it public?
Will I have parent permission to display pictures of students?
Why do YOU want to blog?
If you're thinking about starting a class blog, a very important step in the process is to establish exactly WHY you want to do it. What do you hope to achieve and how will it improve student learning and school experiences? Your objectives may change as the year progresses, or as you learn more, but it's important to have some goals to start with so that your blog is well thought out and organised, which makes it more attractive for people to read.
Is your blog going to be for:
- posting homework assignments and classroom notices
- sharing classroom events with family
- making connections with other classes
- delivering curriculum for students to access during lessons
- summarising daily or weekly activities
- recording special events
- showcasing student work
- publishing student writing
- providing a forum for students to discuss issues and topics
- publishing class-made videos and pictures
or combinations of the above?Further questions that influence your blogging objectives include:
A really simple way to help you clarify your blogging objectives is to look at as many classroom blogs as you can. Google "class blogs" or check out some of the sites below, which all list blogs from around the world. Also, check for the blog rolls on blogs you like, for further links.
http://edublogs.org/blog-directory/directoryelementary/
http://supportblogging.com/Links+to+School+Bloggers#Classroom%20Blogs
http://movingforward.wikispaces.com/Blogs